Google honors Nelson Mandela

An interactive doodle on Google's homepage celebrates the life of Nelson Mandela on what would have been his 96th birthday.

(RNN) – Nelson Mandela would have turned 96 on Friday, and Google honored his birthday with an animated, interactive doodle that cycles through some of his most famous quotes and scenes from his life.

Mandela died Dec. 5, 2013. A series of health problems kept him hospitalized for much of the last year of his life. He was buried following a lavish memorial service attended by President Barack Obama and many other foreign dignitaries.

Mandela rose to prominence during the fight against South Africa’s apartheid government. He was the first black leader of South Africa and the first person the nation elected in a fully inclusive democratic election.

The doodle follows a progression starting with a figure representing Mandela in the small village where he grew up, through his time in prison for opposing apartheid and ending with a famous speech he gave in 1994.

Google also represents the year in the animation along with the adoption of South Africa’s flag.

Among the famous quotes included are, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead,” and, “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.”